Flowerpot is a freelance journalist, author and walker who lives in Cornwall. My first book of walks, Discover Cornwall, was published by Sigma Press July 2012. Circular Walks with Cornish Writers was published in August 2015 and Walks in the Footsteps of Poldark was published in July 2016.

Wednesday, 20 April 2011

A Close Shave

This is Restormel Castle, where Viv, Titch, Molls and I went for a wonderful walk on Sunday.

On Monday I got back around 6pm to find an answerphone message asking me to call the automated department of the Santander Fraud Prevention Scheme.

It’s a scam, I thought. Surely if it was real, they wouldn’t ask me to ring an automated service? But I rang one of my brothers, who’s into this sort of thing. He said, “Shall I ring it for you and find out?”

So he did and reported back that they weren’t asking for any bank account details. So I rang. Pressed the 1 of this and 2 for that to answer security questions. And then I was asked if I’d made a payment of nearly £2,000 to a stranger. Press 1 if you have, Press 2 if you haven’t and need to talk to an advisor.

I pressed 2 quicker than you can bet, and talked to someone who said they would freeze my online banking and make sure the money was back in my account within 48 hours. Could I run a virus scan on my computer and ring them back?

I did that, but talked to Niki, my brilliant computer man who snorted. “No point in running a scan on your computer,” he said (with a Russian accent). “You ‘ave no virus on your computer.” There was an intake of breath as he inhaled his ciggie. “These people are stupid,” he continued. “Nowadays they get caught straight away. Ees waste of time.”

Somewhat mollified, if not confused, I did run the scan, rang back the bank and held on. And on. Until an automated message said they would ring me back when an advisor was free. I went to bed.

Next morning, repeat of last paragraph, without going to bed. I put the phone down and at 10am got a phone call from the bank. No one had made notes on my account so the bloke didn’t know what had happened the day before. I told him about the virus scan, about bank account being blocked, and having rung but no one getting back to me.

“Oh, you need to ring another number,” he replied.

At this point, not having slept too well, I exploded. “My husband has died, I have already rung three times and I am not ringing any other numbers. YOU sort it out,” I cried.

There was an infinestimal pause and he said, “Of course, Mrs Jackson. Absolutely.”

At this point, for some reason, I burst into tears. Relief I think. “So I don’t need to do anything?”

“No, of course not. We’ll sort this out Mrs Jackson, and I do apologise.”

I don’t think he probably knew what he was apologising for by this time, but that didn’t matter – the problem was being sorted. And thank god Niki was right and the bank were alerted to this amount of money whistling out of my account in time. And, more to the point, will replace it.

So while that was a near miss, I’m very fortunate. Even better, my dear brother in law came round last night with a boot full of wood he’d chopped up for me. We spent half an hour unloading it and stacking it and then retired to the kitchen for a glass of wine or two.

26 comments:

I've had the bank fraud squad ring me on a few occasions just to check that it has been me that has made big payments, which is good really isn't it? On one very embarrassing occasion though they had actually stopped my credit card because a large amount had been paid out and not told me. I found out when I tried to pay for my shopping in Morrisons! Thankfully my bank branch was in Morrisons and they sorted it out for me there and then.Glad you got it sorted out FP. x

Well done to you for really letting your feelings out and telling them to do it their bl***y selves! Too many of us continue to be polite and quietly seethe.

And you were right to be suspicious. We get genuine 'Bank Fraud' calls now and again (would rather spend ten minutes on the phone than lose loads of cash) but also calls and e-mails from banks we don't even bank with telling us our accounts have been hacked, so you can never be too careful.

What a terrible experience. So thankful to read that everything has been sorted out for you. Stress you could certainly do without. Eh nothing beats a glass or two of wine to help calm the situation. What a thoughtful BIL you have♥ Had to chuckle when you wrote about wood and wine:) We are off for a few days next month where we will be using wood for the fire, cannot wait. Even if we have to open all the windows we will be lighting that fire:) Sending special thoughts to you for Easter♥♥ Linda xxx

It's frightening isn't it. Always best to find out for definite though, just in case it isn't a scam. Good that the bank have sorted it out, that was very professional of them.

I've had this problem a few times now. Received phone calls from the Fraud Squad (!) asking me to verify the last few transactions. Last week we bought a car and they stopped my debit card because of the money being debited from my current account. It was genuine and I'm glad they rang to ask.

Walks in the Footsteps of Cornish Writers

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"Sue’s clear yet engaging writing style, the evocative descriptions and photographs mean Discover Cornwall will appeal not only to walkers but to readers as well. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, not only because it make me want to rush out and try some new walks, but because I realised it would make the perfect gift for the many people I know who enjoy walking in Cornwall."

About Me

I am a freelance journalist with a Diploma with Distinction for Freelance and Feature Writing from the London School of Journalism. I have been a regular contributor to Cornwall Today (Regional Magazine of the Year, 2009) since 2008 writing regular walks, features, antique pieces, health, business and humour. I have interviewed Bill Bryson, Ian Rankin, John O'Farrell, Patrick Gale, Lionel Shriver and Rosamunde Pitcher for Writers' Forum and Cornwall Today. My work has also appeared in Classic Boat, Classic Sailor, Woman's Weekly and Nursing Standard. In addition I have written several novels, one of which is being read by an agent as I write.
Discover Cornwall, my first book of Cornish walks was published by Sigma in June 2012, Walks in the Footsteps of Cornish Writers in 2014, Walks in the Footsteps of Poldark in 2015, and Walks in the Footsteps of Daphne du Maurier will be published in 2017.
I am also a seaside landlady, getting used to life without my lovely husband who died at the end of 2010. I live in Cornwall with my scruffy canine Mollie and keep sane by singing, walking and seeing my wonderful mates.